South West

From: Christchurch, Dorset

Ages: 20 – 52

Comprising members from an eclectic mix of backgrounds and occupations (a teacher, a gardener, a veterinary nurse and a GP to name but a few!), Funky Little Choir was set up in 2007 by their musical director Sandie. She decided to form the group after the parents of the children in her youth choir said they’d love something similar.

What started as a small group has now become something of a local institution that has over 80 members. The choir are known for sporting their trademark primary colours when they come together for performances, as well as their “funky” renditions of modern pop classics by the likes of Elbow, Beyoncé and James Bay.

From: Bristol

Ages: 30s-60s

Jam Hot’s name is inspired by the choir’s association with the Women’s Institute – all members are from the local community. The group have just celebrated their second anniversary as a choir and, of course, they marked the occasion with the customary tea, cakes and maybe a splash of gin.

Every member of the choir has a nickname that starts with top, middle or bottom, depending on whether they sing high or low. Emma R has been dubbed “Loud Bottom”, Julia is “Fluffy Bottom” and Emma C has earned herself the title of “Danger Bottom”. All the women credit the choir with being able to lift their spirits, no matter how tired they are or how rubbish they might be feeling.

From: Bristol

Ages: 25- 31

The Longest Johns formed pretty much by accident when they got chatting by chance at a summer BBQ in 2012, and realised they all had a shared love of sea shanties. They’re passionate about keeping this musical tradition alive and enjoy the heritage and history bound up in it, while also breathing new life into the classic shanties they perform.

The group know that sea shanties isn’t a genre that everyone is always familiar with, saying that audiences normally start out “with stunned faces not quite knowing what to expect and then, by the end, they are on their feet clapping and stomping along”.

From: Guernsey

Ages: 30 - 80

St Joseph's Parish Schola is lead by organist Luke and comprised of an eclectic mix of members, including a nun, a university lecturer, and a born-and-bred islander who was evacuated to mainland Britain in Word War Two. What unites them all is a passion for music and a shared faith - the choir was formed through their local Catholic church in Guernsey.

As well as singing music from the Catholic tradition, this choir love a sea shanty, are partial to Gregorian chant, and have been known to try their hand at a secular song for good measure. Part of their rationale for entering the contest was to put Guernsey on the map and prove that traditional choral music is very much alive and well.

From: Exeter University

Ages: 19-24

Describing themselves as "13 geeky boys with deeply suspect dance moves”, Semi-Toned is made up of a bunch of self-confessed choir-nerds, musical theatre enthusiasts and disillusioned rock musicians. They’re one of many choirs established as part of the UK’s burgeoning university a cappella scene.

The group was founded by law graduate Eddie when he first came to the University of Exeter in 2010, as a means of making new friends who shared his passion for music. The choir like to bring humour to their performances whenever they can, and have added impact on stage thanks to their uniform of burgundy velvet jackets.

From: Exeter University

Ages: 18- 23

2016 marks the tenth anniversary of Sweet Nothings, the University of Exeter’s first all female a cappella group, who love to deliver Pitch Perfect style renditions of songs by artists as varied as Lady GaGa, Guns N’ Roses and Shirley Bassey.

Although none of the original line-up are current members, all the girls who’ve ever performed as part of this choir stay in touch, and say they all feel like they’re part of one big, extended family. The girls in this group enjoy a friendly, on campus rivalry with their all-male counterparts, Semi-Toned.

From: North Devon

Ages: 16- 27

Formed just six months before their audition for Gareth, The Tarka Collective chiefly consists of young farmers who usually only sing in the shower or when serenading the farm animals they tend. Its members are drawn from across North Devon, and led by freelance dancer/dance teacher Jessica. They love to sing West End classics and the odd tongue-in-cheek farming song.

For some in the group, the choir offers more than just an opportunity to sing. Thirteen of its fifteen members live on farms, often in isolated parts of the county, so the choir provides a much appreciated chance to socialize and share a love of music.